§ 19. Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage dental charges have risen in real terms since May 1979.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergAfter allowing for the increased cost of the service, the average charge paid by patients for a course of dental treatment increased by 21.7 per cent. between the quarters ending March 1979 and December 1982.
§ 44. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure that dental charges will not rise in real terms in 1983–84.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy right hon. Friend announced on 8 November—[Vol. 31, c. 331]—that charges in 1983–84 would increase only in line with costs. On 11 March the levels of individual charges from 1 April 1983 were set out in regulations laid before the House. The increases range from under 4 per cent. to 10 per cent. The increase in the maximum charge for routine treatment has been kept as low as possible at 50p or 3.8 per cent. and the average increase is some 6 per cent.